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Abuja Mega Lions Club to rehabilitate 1,000 mental cases
Abuja Mega Lions Club to rehabilitate 1,000 mental cases
The International Association of Lions Club, Abuja Mega Lions, District 404 A2, Nigeria said on Sunday that it would treat over 1000 mentally ill persons and transform more lives in Nigeria.
The club’s immediate past president, Mrs Anthonia Opusunju, said this at Fund Raising and investiture of Mr Samuel Egbuchiri, as the new club president and installation of new Board of Directors of the Club, at Abuja.
Opusunju, who was the pioneer president of the club, said the primary objective of the club was to bring succour to the needy, those with health challenges, and the uneducated in the country.
Opusunju said part of efforts to achieve these objectives was construction of projects in some parts of the country, medical outreaches and providing humanitarian services.
The outgoing president enumerated some achievements of the club during her tenure to include the renovation and furnishing of the Child/Adolescent Mental Building at Karu General Hospital, Abuja.
She said after the renovation and following the request of the Chief Psychiatric Consultant and the Medical Director of the hospital, the club engaged four medical personnel including two medical doctors.
She said that since the hospital started operation in May 2022, no fewer than 400 children with mental issues were treated.
She said the facility had also handled suicidal and drug addiction cases and expressed confidence that her successor would continue in the third phase of the project.
Opusunju said that the club also donated eyeglasses to about 200 beneficiaries in Opobo, and constructed Jetty Waiting hall in Epellema Town, Opobo Kingdom in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers state.
“The club has carried out free diabetes screening and testing at Karamajiji Colony of Disabled Persons, Abuja supported by the Lions Club International Foundation in 2021.
“We carried out campaign on drug abuse and addiction and sensitised youths, women, and children at the internally Displaced Persons Camp, Area 1, Abuja where over 200 families were fed.
“The club equally distributed relief food items to over 150 families of the Colony of Disabled Persons at Kalamajiji, Abuja,” she said.
In his acceptance speech, the new president, Egbuchiri promised to leverage on the existing achievements, especially the mental health facility at Karu General Hospital.
He said that already the club had treated 13 mentally ill patients while the target of his administration was to treat 1000 patients in the next eight months.
“A lot of Nigerian youths are on the streets with one form of challenge or the other. There is need to save them from destruction and return them to their God ordained destiny.
“We are doing all this not in expectation of rewards but to derive joy in the sense that smiles are being put back to the faces of the less privileged across Nigeria,” he said.
Egbuchiri, who said projects proposed by his administration for the needy would gulp N27 million, and expressed hope to get support from partners and donor agencies.
Earlier, the chairperson, investiture and fundraising committee and the club’s First Vice President, Folasade Olaifa, said the event was to inaugurate Ebguchiri as the club’s president for 2022/2023.
“Today’s event doubles as fundraising ceremony for the completion and furnishing of Child and Adolescent Mental Ward, Karu General Hospital, which hinges on the progressive development, in the persistent ‘Lionistic Spirit’ of continuity and excellence.
“We are grateful that this signature project is touching the lives of the young and vulnerable members of the society,” Olaifa said.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Isa Abubakar, who was represented by Mr Soji Olaitan, the Chairman of CMS Grammar School Old Boys Association, Bariga Lagos, commended the club for the good work it is doing.
He also commended the outgoing president for her numerous achievements and wished the incoming president a successful tenure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the clinking of the bell signaling the investiture of the new president and cutting off the investiture cake.
Abuja Mega Lions Club to rehabilitate 1,000 mental cases
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A local hunters’ group has successfully rescued a kidnapped herder, Alhaji Babawuro, from captivity in Yobe State without payment of ransom, following a coordinated operation with security authorities.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the Babawuro, a resident of Kurbunga village under Shamka District of the Ngelzarma Emirate in Fune Local Government Area, was abducted at about 2:00 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2025, and taken to an unknown location.
The sources said the incident was reported to the Damagum Police Division on Nov. 30, after which the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of N50 million.
“It was the fifth time the victim had been kidnapped, apparently due to his status as a wealthy herder,” the sources said.
They explained that while negotiations were ongoing and the police were making arrangements to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor and the Emir of Ngelzarma held consultations with the Commissioner of Police.
According to the sources, it was agreed that a hunters’ group with proven expertise in kidnap rescue operations should be engaged to assist the police.
“The hunters subsequently took over negotiations, which were reduced to N7 million, while efforts were intensified to trace the kidnappers,” the sources said.
They added that the hunters traced the victim and the kidnappers to Sandi village in Gulani Local Government Area.
“At about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, the hunters stormed the hideout and successfully rescued the victim without paying any ransom,” the sources said.
During the operation, the leader of the kidnap gang, identified as Ahmadu Shuwa, also known as “Sumo,” was neutralised, while another suspect, Mohammed Bello, sustained gunshot injuries.
The sources further disclosed that two other members of the gang were arrested and have confessed to the crime.
The rescued victim, who has since reunited with his family, was treated at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, and later reported the incident at the Damagum Police Station.
Efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons used by the kidnappers ahead of handing over the suspects and exhibits to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.
The hunters’ group were commended for their role in the successful rescue operation.
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A local hunters’ group has successfully rescued a kidnapped herder, Alhaji Babawuro, from captivity in Yobe State without payment of ransom, following a coordinated operation with security authorities.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the Babawuro, a resident of Kurbunga village under Shamka District of the Ngelzarma Emirate in Fune Local Government Area, was abducted at about 2:00 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2025, and taken to an unknown location.
The sources said the incident was reported to the Damagum Police Division on Nov. 30, after which the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of N50 million.
“It was the fifth time the victim had been kidnapped, apparently due to his status as a wealthy herder,” the sources said.
They explained that while negotiations were ongoing and the police were making arrangements to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor and the Emir of Ngelzarma held consultations with the Commissioner of Police.
According to the sources, it was agreed that a hunters’ group with proven expertise in kidnap rescue operations should be engaged to assist the police.
“The hunters subsequently took over negotiations, which were reduced to N7 million, while efforts were intensified to trace the kidnappers,” the sources said.
They added that the hunters traced the victim and the kidnappers to Sandi village in Gulani Local Government Area.
“At about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, the hunters stormed the hideout and successfully rescued the victim without paying any ransom,” the sources said.
During the operation, the leader of the kidnap gang, identified as Ahmadu Shuwa, also known as “Sumo,” was neutralised, while another suspect, Mohammed Bello, sustained gunshot injuries.
The sources further disclosed that two other members of the gang were arrested and have confessed to the crime.
The rescued victim, who has since reunited with his family, was treated at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, and later reported the incident at the Damagum Police Station.
Efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons used by the kidnappers ahead of handing over the suspects and exhibits to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.
The hunters’ group were commended for their role in the successful rescue operation.
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
EXCLUSIVE: President approves establishment of new Nigerian Army Depot in Abakaliki, Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the establishment of a new Depot Nigerian Army in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as part of efforts to expand the manpower and operational capacity of the Nigerian Army.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the new Depot would complement existing Army training facilities and ensure a steady stream of well-trained personnel for deployment across the country.
Military source said the initiative is in line with the Nigerian Army’s strategic plan to enhance national security and produce combat-ready soldiers capable of addressing diverse security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and other internal threats.
The new Depot is expected to provide specialist and mission-oriented training, focusing on marksmanship, fieldcraft skills, and operational readiness. It will also incorporate measures to safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of recruits during and after their service.
The establishment of the Depot in Abakaliki follows recent efforts of the federal government to improve manpower of the Nigerian Military.
EXCLUSIVE: President approves establishment of new Nigerian Army Depot in Abakaliki, Ebonyi
Otuaro Hails Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation Boss On Conferment With Honorary Doctorate Degree
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
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